THREE renewable energy projects will be presented for potential investment by a Middle East company, First Minister Alex Salmond announced today.

Salmond has signed an "agenda for action" with Abu Dhabi-based energy technology company Masdar for investment in Scottish renewables.

He said Scotland has "a special place" in the heart of General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) armed forces, whose father founded Masdar.

Salmond told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Masdar is one of the great renewable energy institutes in the world."

He added: "This agreement will mean huge things for Scotland . It means we will have co-investment, co-research, co-employment, investment in Scottish renewables, and Scottish companies with opportunities here in Abu Dhabi.

"There will be an exchange in scientific research between students from Abu Dhabi and Scotland.

"Together we can make a big difference in bringing renewable energy to the marketplace on a commercial basis, and see the results of this innovation deployed not just in Abu Dhabi, but across the planet in a worldwide marketplace."

Salmond confirmed that the deal would bring both financial and knowledge-sharing benefits to Scotland.

He added: "This is not just a memorandum of understanding, this is an agenda for action that specifies that in the next three months three key investment opportunities will be identified for consideration by Masdar in Scottish renewable energy."

Salmond said today's deal builds on the £600 million of Scottish investment by Abu Dhabi national oil and gas company Taqa, announced during his last visit to the UAE and Qatar in November, as well as the doubling of Emirates flights from Dubai to Glasgow.

He added: "Scottish exports to the UAE have doubled over the last two years to £400 million, so we're doing a lot of trade with the Emirates already.

"There are six companies with us in the Scottish exhibition who are already sensing this huge opportunity in renewables, and are hoping to take advantage of it for everyone's benefit.

"This is about enlightened self-interest. Clearly what we are doing is because it is key and important for everyone that renewable technology becomes cost effective, but like all the best agreements this is good for Abu Dhabi and good for Scotland and, we also think, with due humility, that the innovations that come from this agreement will be good for the entire planet."